Punching machine



NOV 7, 1944. T. J. wATsoN PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1943 3' Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. j

- INVENTOR Ho/wns .j /1/A rsa/V ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. T. J. WATSON 2,362,037

PUNCHING MACHINE "Filed Dec. 2s, 1943 s sheets-sheet 2 u nnwn l R fafa/WAS J /VAsa/V ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. T. J. WATSON PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToR THOMAS J. /144 7150A/ BY//f/M/ ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7; 1944 to International Business Machines Corporatioo New York, N. Y., a corporation of New suman December za. 194s, semi N6. slasss Claims.

This invention relates to record controlled machines. and more particularly to machines for perforating records in accordance with data designatlons.

The principal object of the invention is to p rovide a machine for automatically handling bank checks, deposit slips, and other documents wherein the various records to be handled are notI of the same dimensions. In other words, among a given group of records to be handled some may be wider and/or longer than others. It is desirable in recording data on such records, where the recording may be in the form of punching, printing or like methods of data'designation, that the designations be made ln some predetermined area with respect to one of the corners of the record formed by twointersecting edges thereof.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, there is provided a keyboard upon which the data to be recorded on 4the check or other document is manually setup. The check is then inserted into the machine where feeding mechanism advances it to a position beneath the punches or other recording instrumentalities. The feeding means is arranged so that. as the check advances to the recording position, its leading edge is aligned at right angles to the direc- 'tion of travel, if it is not already so aligned. 'I'he forward movement of the check is then interrupted and the check is moved transversely until it is in a predetermined position. At such time --the recording devices are operated and will record the setup data in positions having a definite relationship with the two intersecting edges of the record. Thereafter, the forward feeding of the record is resumed, and it passes sensing devices which sense the designations just made and control sorting mechanism to sort the records into compartments determined by the value of the data recorded. In the recording position there is provided means for placing a datum line on the record which will serve in subsequent handling of the record as a lateral locating means for controlling the positioning of the record.

Other objects of the invention will be pointedout in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central section through the machine showing the feed rollers and data sensing devices, the section being taken along lines I-I of Fi8.4.

Fig. 2 is an outside view looking in the same direction as Fig. 1, showing the drive connections to the feed `roller shafts. This section is substantially along lines 2-2 of Fig. 4.

5 Fig. 3 is a `wiring diagram of the electrical circuits of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a Vtransverse section of the machine looking in the direction of lines 4-4 of Fig. 1.A

Fig. 5 is a plan view looking in the direction of l0 lines 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section through the punching mechanism taken substantially along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 'z is a detail showing che meeting une prmti6 ing and sensing device, the section being substantially along lines l-'I of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailof the locating line printingl device, the section being substantially along lines 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragment of a record showing the relative location thereon of the data designations and the locating line.

Referring to Fig. 9, the record I0 before insertion in the machine may be in the form of a check, deposit slip or any other form of record and may contain suitable printed matter (not shown). In addition, it may contain a classification or check number, such as 542, indicated in the upper left hand corner of Fig. 9. This number is set up manually by the operator on keys I I (Figs. 4 and 6), and the check is then inserted in the machine and automatically advanced to a position where perforations I2 are made in the index point positions of three columns to represent the value 542. In addition, a locating line I3 may be printed on the record. Before punching of the data is effected, the record is so aligned with respect to the punching de'vices that the data recorded thereon will bear a predetermined relationship to the upper left hand edges as viewed in Fig. 9, and this relationship will be obtained for all records passed through the machine and applies to those having dimensions different from the record shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to Fig. 4, I4 represents a constantly rotating shaft which is driven by any suitable means, such as a motor (not shown). Secured to shaft I4 are two friction disks I 5R `'and I5L.

A spring I6 presses a gear I'IR, integral with a ratchet IBR, against disk IER and at the same time presses a 'gear IIL, integral with a' ratchet IBL, against disk ISL so that, as shaft Il rotates,

the gears IlL and IIR are frictionally driven therewith.

In Fig. 2 gear IIR drives gears ISR keyed on (Fig. 4) drives a pair of gears I9L coaxial with gear ISR and keyed on sleeves 2|, so that the sleeves may move axially with respect to gear I9L. 'At their left ends the shafts 29 have rollers 22L secured thereto and at their left end the sleeves 2I have rollers 22R. secured thereto. Y through the connections traced rollersl 22L are driven by gear I1R and rollers 22R are driven by gear I'IL.

Referring to Fig, 2, the ratchet ISR may be engaged and stopped by a pawl 23R pivoted at 24. Energization of the magnet 25R will attract its armature 2BR to rock pawl 23R into engagement with the ratchet. This then will interrupt rotation of the gear IIR and as a result rotation of shafts 20 and rollers 22L will be interrupted.

A similar pawl 23L (Fig. 4) is provided for ratchet -I8L and, when magnet 25L is energized, this pawl Thus,

will engage ratchet I8L and interrupt further roing edge will engage and rock spaced levers 2BR and 26L. These levers are pivoted at 2l on arms 28 secured to a rod 29. When the leading edge of the record strikes the upper end of lever 26B, for example, the lever is rocked slightly clockwise about its pivot 2l and through an arm 39 closes a pair of contacts BI-R. The lever 26L operates in exactly the same manner to close a pair of contacts 3IL when it is engaged by the leading edge of the card. It will be apparent that, if the check as it advances toward the levers 26L and 26B is slightly out of parallel with the horizontal line as viewed in Fig. 5, one of the contacts will be closed before the other.

Referring to Fig. 3, when the contacts 3IR close, a circuit is completed from positive side of line 32, through contacts 3ER, a relay 33 and magnet 25L to negative line 34. As we have seen, energization of magnet 2 5L will interrupt further rotation of rollers 22R, while rollers 22L continue to rotate and in doing so the record l0 will be rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5, until the leading edge ultimately engages lever ZIEL and closes contacts SIL, which then completes a cir cuit in Fig. 3 through relay 35 and magnet 25Rto interrupt furthervrotation of the rollers 22L. At this point the leading edge of the card is now properly aligned or squared in its direction of travel. The pressure of the rollers on the record is such as to permit slight slippage as the record is' turned in its plane of travel. When both contacts rilll and 3BR are closed, the two relays 33 and 35 will also be energized and their respective contacts 33a and 35a will be closed, completing a circuit from line 32 serially through contacts 33a and 35a to energize a clutch inagnet 36. Y

Referring `to Fig. 6, when magnet' 36 is energized it attracts its armature 3l and releases a spring pressed clutching dog 38, which is pivoted on a disk 39 freely rotatable on shaft I4. Secured to shaft I4 is a clutch driving element 40, so that when magnet 36 is energized, disk 39 is coupled to shaft I4 for rotation therewith. Referring to Fig. 4, the disk 39 is integral with a cam 4I, an arm 42 and a second cam 43, so that these parts now rotate with the shaft I4. A follower roller dit . shafts 20. The key connection permits relative axial movement between the gears and the shafts kfor the purpose to be described. The gear I'IL '44 now moves toward the left as viewed in Fig, 4 and is integral with a sleeve l45, which' is urged toward the left by the coil spring 46. Extending upwardly from the sleeve is a pair of arms 41 which extend into grooved rollers 48 secured on` the lower shafts 20. The shafts 20 are connected by straps 49 (see Fig. 4) so that, as sleeve 45 moves toward the left carrying with it rollers 43, the four shafts 20 move therewith and, since the rollers 22L and 22R are now stationary, they move the card therewith toward the left until the left edge of the card engages lever 50 and rocks it about its pivot 5I to close a pair of contacts 52. Closure of these contacts will complete a circuit traceable in Fig. 3 from line 32, a pair of normally closed contacts 53, contacts 52, a magnet 55 to line 34.

In Fig. 4 energization of magnet 55 will rock a pawl 56 into engagement with ratchet teeth on a bar 5l secured to'sleeve 45, so that further movement of the card toward the left is interrupted. At this point then, the card is fully aligned in both a vertical and a lateral direction. After disk 39 has rotated through an angle sucient to provide for the maximum lateral movement, cam lll functions to cause punching of the setup data on the check.

Referring to Fig. 6, depression of any key Il will cause the stem to move downwardly and become latched under a plate 58 which locks the depressed key against upward movement until plate 58 is shifted to the left to release the stem for return by its spring 59. Thus, with a setting on keys II, when cam 4I operates to elevate roller 50, die plate 6I is pressed against the locked punch ends 62 of the keys to effect a perforation in the selected positions. Compression springs 63 serve to return the die to its downward position after punching has been effected. After this the roller 64 on arm 42 (Fig. l) will engage lever 65 to rock rod 29. This will move levers 2BR and 26L downward out of engagement with the front edge of the card, and in Fig. 2 shaft 29 through arm 66 and link 6l will rock pawl 23R out of engagement with ratchet lSR. A similar link 6l will rock pawl 23L out of engagement with ratchet I8L, so that .both of these ratchets are now driven by shaft I4 and the record will be advanced by the now rotating rollers 22L and 22R..

When it has advanced beyond levers 261i and 2ER, the levers are free to return to their intercepting positions in readiness to position the next record.y Rollers 68 now advance the record through the sorting part of the machine. These rollers are mounted on shafts generally desighated 59 which are driven by gears generally designated l0 (Fig. 2), and one of these shafts has belt and pulley connection ll with the shaft lll, so that these rollers 68 are in constant rotation. The sorting mechanism is of well known construction and is, therefore, only diagrammatically represented in Fig. 1. lt comprises brushes 'l2 positioned to traverse the columns of the card in which punching has been e'ected and make contact through the perforatlons with contact roller 13. The leading edge of the card passes successively under the ends of sorting blades 14, and upon sensing a perforation a circuit is completed to sorting magnet l5, which will open a passageway for the card between two of the blades, through which passageway the card is guided to an appropriate receiving pocket.

' 'The sorting function may be omitted by open- 'I2 as by switches 18 shown in Fig. 3.'l In such block 80, which is pivoted at 8i and held in the position shown in Fig. 8 by a spring`l pressed latch 82 (see Fig. 7). Thus, when the punch die 6I moves upwardly, the wick 'I9 will contact the record I and make a mark or line thereon.

f The mark I3 as thus made may serve as a locating means in some subsequent passage of the record through theV present machine. When occasion for utilizing the mark arises, as where the left end of the record has become damaged or trimmed so that the data designations are no longer in the proper location with respect to the left end of the sheet, the blo'ck 80 (Fig. 8) is rotated through 90 to the dotted line position shown. When in such position, a finger 82 thereon will cause opening of the contacts 53 and closure of the contacts 54.

Referring to Fig. 3, the opening of contacts 5'3 will render the end contacts 52 ineffective and the closure of contacts 54 will illuminate a lamp 83. This lamp is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7, and in line therewith is a light responsive tube 84 so positioned that, when the block 80 is swung to its dotted line position of Fig. 8, light from the lamp 83 will be reflected from the surface of record I0 on to the cell 84 from the area, which will be traversed bythe ink line I3 when the record I0 is moved laterally. Thus, during the lateral movement oi' the record, the ink line Will alter the amount of light reflected and cause the photocell 84 through an amplier 85 (Fig. 3) to energize a relay 86, which will thereupon close its contacts 86a and energize the magnet 55 to stop the lateral movement of the record in the manner already explained.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be ap- I parent that records'passed through the machine will be aligned, recorded upon, and then sorted in accordance with the recorded data. Alternatively, the sorting may be omitted. Also, by not setting the keys I I, cards already containing recording may be passed through the machine,

aligned either with the left edge or the special datum line I3 as a guide, and then sorted in accordance with the data recordings.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention asapplied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and. substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited case, the magnet 'I5 will not become energized of feed reaches a predetermined position, and

means for thereafter recording upon the posltioned record.

2. In a record controlled perforatlng or like machine, means to feed a record linearly along a normal line of feed in which the leading edge of the record may be at an angle to a line paral-A lel to the line of feed, means engageable by the leading `edge of the record for causing displacement of the record to bring its leading edge at right angles' to the line of feed and for stopping the record in such position, means controlled by said engageable means to cause a lateral shift of the record transverseto its line of travel, and means engaged by an edge of th\ record for limiting the extent of such shift. 3. In a machine of the class described. a punching station, means for feeding a record to said station, and means controlled by two intersecting edges of the record for effecting movement of the record into a predetermined location with respect to the punching station and for stopping the record in such location.

4. In combination, means for operating upon particular parts .of records fed thereto, means to feed a record to the first named means, means for eifecting a turning of the record in the plane of its surface to bring'its leading edge into a line transverse to the line of travel of the record, said eiecting means causing stopping of the feeding means when the record has been turned into aligned relationship with the line of travel.

5. In combination, means to feed'records along -a straight path to mechanism with which said records must be registered, means to shift the records laterally, means to turn the records in the plane of their surfaces to bring a particular part of each record into registry with a particularpart of said mechanism, and means for sensing the registry of said particular parts and operative to terminate said shifting and turning movements. Y

6. In a machine of the class described, means for feeding records of varying dimensions along a line of travel, a row of recording devices extending in the direction of travel of the records, and means controlled by the leading and by an adjacent edge of each record as it is fed, for

shifting the record mits path of travel to mingv a line thereon into registry with said row of recording devices, to receive data on a line of the record a predetermined distance from said adjacent edge and a predetermined distance from said leading edge.

7. In a machine of the class described, means said row will subsequently traverse said device.

the record for interrupting said vlateral shiftA when an edge of the card parallel to the line rates to cause turning of the record in its plane of travel, and further means for shifting both rollers in the direction of the-common axis to displace the record laterally in its planeof travel.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a punching mechanism, a data sensing-mechanism, means for feeding records of nism` being located to sense the perforated data. f 10. In a machine ofthe class described, a data sensing device, means for feeding a. .record to said device, said record having a. row of data designations extending in the direction of feeding of said record, means located in the path of travel of the record to cause adjustment thereof, so

that its leading edge is at right angles to the line of travel and an adjacent edge Ibears a predetermined relationship to said sensing device, said last named means causing interruption of the record and alignment thereof prior to its arrival at said sensing device.

THOMAS J. l:"vvA'rsoN. 

